Round Round Get Around ...

Angers is great because there are so many ways to get around. For the past year, I've gotten to know the bus routes very well. I'd buy a monthly pass, and have unlimited access to all the bus lines. There's a stop just two minutes from our house, and I still take the bus often when I want to go downtown ( it takes about 12 minutes). Parking can be a hassle downtown, so the bus is better!


Angers also has a great program, called VéloCité. (vélo = bicycle) They let you borrow a bike for free for up to a year! This is what all the bikes look like:


Unlike many places in the States, there are bike lanes on most roads, and people are pretty tolerant of bikes, and sharing road space with them. I like to take my bike downtown, and one of the language schools where I work is only 10 minutes away. All I need is a basket on the front, or some bungees to strap my stuff the the rack in the back.

But more exciting than the bus and the bike is our SMART CAR!! Isn't it cute ?!?


Because I'm now working as an English teacher, I need a more independent way to get around town. I've always wanted a SMART, and it just worked out that Philipp's cousin had one, and wanted to sell it. We used it as our get-away car for the wedding ... thank goodness it's a convertible, or I might not have been able to fit my whole dress inside!

Now, I'm learning to drive all over again! I'm getting over my fear of roundabouts (there are so many here!) and learning to shift gears. The SMART is actually partly-automatic. I have to shift, but there is no clutch. Kind of like "baby steps" to learning to drive a standard. I'm getting the hang of it. And there's nothing better than opening the top on a nice sunny day. I love our SMART!!